Rory McIlroy (born 4 May 1989) is a professional golfer who hails from Northern Ireland. The beautiful game of golf is one filled with vastly skilled players who have carved a name as leaders for themselves in different aspects of the game. The highly competitive sports thrill is one which fans cannot seem to get enough of as a result of such players. We consider the rise to stardom of one of golf’s greatest in our Rory McIlroy biography facts, childhood and personal life.

Rory McIlroy Childhood and Early Life

Rory McIlroy childhood photo

Rory McIlroy was born on May 4, 1989, to his father, Gerry McIlroy and mother, Rosie McDonald. He is the only child born to his parents. McIlroy started playing golf at a tender age after he was introduced to the game by his father who also coached him. McIlroy’s love for golf was so much that he begged his father to take him to the Holywood golf course also every day. He eventually joined the Holywood Golf Club as the youngest member at the age of seven. McIlroy still considers the Hollywood Golf course as his home course.

Rory McIlory Professional Career

McIlroy went pro, at the age of 18, a day before the Quinn British Masters. At the Quinn British Masters, McIlroy finished in the 42nd place. At another tournament, the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, McIlroy finished in the third place.

He finished in the fourth position at the Open de Madrid Valle Romano to secure his card for 2008, which made him the youngest affiliate member in the history of the European Tour to secure a tour card. Before the commencement of the 2008 season, McIlroy turned down an invitation from Tiger Woods to play in the 2007 Target World Challenge, and the AT&T National. McIlroy went on to play in the European Open. McIlroy began his 2008 European Tour at the UBS Hong Kong Open where he finished second. McIlroy also went on to enter the Official World Golf Ranking top 200 for the first time in his career on January 27, 2008. At the end of the European Tour, McIlroy Official World Golf ranking increased to the 79th spot. McIlroy ranking was on an upward run, at the end of the 2008 calendar year, McIlroy ranking peaked at the 39th spot, after he finished in a tie for third place at the South African Open, thus earning him an invitation to the 2009 Masters Tournament.

At the young age of 19, McIlroy won the Dubai Desert Classic, his first title win as a pro. The win saw McIlroy ranking increased to the 16th in the World Golf Gerry McIlroy. McIlroy was eliminated at the quarter-final at the 2009 WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. McIlroy continued to make significant progress finishing in the fifth place at the BMW PGA Championship and 12th in the European open. At the end of the 2009 season, McIlroy finished in the 9th spot in the Official World Golf Rankings. He also announced that in the 2010 season he would join the PGA Tour.

In the 2010 season, McIlroy finished in the 3rd place in the 2010 Abu Dhabi Golf Championship but failed to defend his Dubai Desert Classic. In the PGA Tour, he recorded his first win in the final round of the Quail Hollow Championship. After tying for the third spot in the 2010 Open Championship, McIlroy ranking increased to the 7th spot in the World Rankings. McIlroy also contributed greatly to Team Europe’s success at the 2010 Ryder Cup. After his success at the Ryder Cup, McIlroy decided to return to play full-time in the European Tour.

In the 2011 Masters Tournament in Augusta, Georgia, McIlroy became the youngest player to lead the Masters Tournament at the close of the first day of the event. McIlroy also failed to defend his Quail Hollow title. He however finished in fifth place in the Memorial Tournament. The high point of McIlroy 2011 season campaign was his memorable US Open win, becoming the first player in the history of the US Open to reach a score of 13-under-par. After his win, McIlroy took a month break from competitive golf. He returned to compete in the Open Championship. He finished 4th in the WGC-HSBC Champions which increased his ranking to the number two spot. McIlroy capped 2011 with his UBS Hong Kong Open win. McIlroy was once again in the spotlight as he competed against high profile players such as Tiger Woods, Luke Donald and others at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, his first tournament of the year.

He also finished in the 5th position in a tie in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. McIlroy also went on to play in the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship. He continued in his good form to win the Honda Classic in Florida. His win saw him move to the number one spot in the official world rankings. At the Cadillac Championship, McIlroy began losing form. His lost in form saw Luke Donald enter the number one spot after he won the Transitions Championships. McIlroy braced up to become a tough contender in the Wells Fargo Championship.

McIlroy also went on to win the 2012 PGA Championship, his win saw him return to his number one spot on the Official World Rankings. McIlroy went on to finish third in the FedEx Cup. Mcllory also won the Deutsche BankChampionship, his success saw him top the PGA Tour money list. McIlory success continued as he won the BMW Championship. McIlory PGA Tour success saw him become the first European to claim four PGA titles in a single season. McIlroy also helped Team Europe claim the 2012 Ryder Cup. He finished the year with the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai, tournament win.

After struggling to win tournaments in 2013, he finally won the 2013 Emirates Australian Open. McIlroy lost the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, by a single shot, after being hit a two-shot penalty. He also lost out in the Honda Classic. He however compensated for his lost, by winning the BMW PGA Championship.

He also claimed the 2014 Open Championship, making it the third major championship win of his career. McIlory also won the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational which he capped with his PGAChampionship in 2014.

In his second tournament in 2015, Mcllory won the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in the European tour. After finishing in the fourth place at the 2015 Masters, McIlroy won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play, making it his second World Golf Championship. This win made him the third player to claim 10 PGA Tour wins and four majors at the age of 25. McIlroy 2015 season campaign suffered a major blow after he injured his left anterior talofibular ligament. He missed the Open Championship as well as the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. He made a comeback at the 2015 PGA Championship. He also won the DP World Tour Championship, making it his third Race to Dubai title in four years.

In his 2016 season campaign, McIlroy won his first title on home soil, the Irish Open. He also went on to win the Deutsche Bank Championship. Mcllory put up a spectacular performance at the final Gerry McIlroy the 2016 PGA Tour, the 2016 Tour Championship, which he won. The win saw him top the FedEx Cup and earned him $10,000,000 bonus pool. At the 2016 Ryder Cup, Team Europe success was cut short by their US counterparts.

Mcllory 2017 campaign was cut short after sustaining a rib Injury, He returned to action at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

He secured his first win since returning in March 2018, which wasthe Arnold Palmer Invitational. In September 2018, he helped team Europequalify for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy Personal Life

McIlroy is a Roman Catholic.

He is also a Manchester United fan as revealed in his 2014 Open Championship acceptance speech.

He is an ambassador for UNICEF and the PGA Junior League Golf. He was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2012.

He is married to ex-PGA of America employee Erica Stoll.

Rory McIlroy walks with his wife Erica Stoll at Augusta National Golf Club Georgia, U.S. during the par 3 contest on the last day of practice for the 2018 Masters Golf Tournament on April 4, 2018. Photo Credit: Reuters

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